EL NIDO-PUERTO PRINCESA-CORON, PALAWAN - 10 days
|
El Nido is becoming the most popular destination on Palawan, an island to the west of the Philippines. There are many small islands with spectacular lagoons and beaches in Bacuit Bay. There are a number of small hotels near the town but there are no beaches. The best resorts and beaches are on the islands. Many islands have excellent snorkelling and nearby reefs attract divers from all over the world. Lio Airport is about 30 minutes drive from the town.
Puerto Princesa is a port town and has no beaches. There are some good hotels and it is close to the underground river and Honda bay. The airport is very central to all the city hotels. It has a excellent waterfront market and many good restaurants. There are a few bars that have live bands at night. Coron is the perfect destination for scuba divers as there a many world war two Japanese wrecks in the area. There are no beaches near Coron town but the island of Coron has inland lakes and lagoons along it's coast. Coron town is quite small and has a few bars with western food. (Pizza) TOUR ITINERARY- 9 nights- all our tours include breakfasts.
Day 1: Flight from Manila to Lio Airport (ENI) El Nido. Transfer to hotel. If staying on the islands the boat leaves directly from the airport and takes about 45 minutes. Day 2: Take a tour to the big and small lagoons on Miniloc Island. Swim or paddle a kayak through the small lagoon. ( extra cost unless stying in the island resorts). Day 3: Take the island hopping tour and visit the secret beach, Snake Island and Cathedral Cave. ( extra cost unless stying in the island resorts). Day 4: Transfer to Lio airport for your flight to Puerto Princesa (PPS) or take a commuter van for a 5 hour trip through the island. Check into your hotel. Day 5: Leave your hotel early for the Underground River Tour .The canoe tour in to the Cave itself lasts approximately 45 minutes, and takes you into the first 1.5 kilometres of the Underground River cave. Experience the beauty of Stalagmites and Stalactites, which took thousands of years to form, and the Swift and Bat populations that inhabit the cave. Lunch is provided. Day 6: Honda bay island hopping tour- About 30 minutes north of the town go by outrigger boat from Sta Lourdes pier visiting Bat, Luli, Meara Marina and Pandan Island. Snorkelling and swimming. Lunch is included. Day 7: Transfer to Puerto Princesa airport for flight via Manila to Busuanga, Coron. Transfer to hotel. Day 8: Calauit Island tour. Departing in 4×4 around sunrise we drive 70 minutes to Macalachao on the northern tip of Busuanga, boarding a native banca (motor boat) for a 10 minute trip across to Calauit Island. There we take a safari either by foot or by truck to view African and local animals in a wildlife park, reputedly Southeast Asia’s largest. The giraffe literally feed out of your hands. The cute Calamian deer thrive in the park: elsewhere they are endangered. Day 9: Coron island Kayaking tour. A private & exclusive Coron day tour that escapes many of the tourist traps. Explore by kayak and outrigger banca the full length of the northwest coast of Coron Island. You'll visit lagoons icons like Kayangan or Barracuda Lakes Day 10: Transfer to Busuanga airport for flight to Manila or Cebu. HOTELS and RESORTS in EL NIDO
Pangulasian Island is the most luxurious of the island resorts. Rooms are large bungalow style with some having their own plunge pools. The canopy bungalows have spectacular views of the other islands around Bacuit Bay. The beach is one of the best in the area and is exclusive to the guests on the resort. The service and food is as high quality as you will get any where in the world. Lagen Island has cottages over the water of a lagoon and also garden cottages facing a swimming pool. There is no beach but they have a path over the hill at the back on the resort that leads through tropical rainforest to a small beach good for swimming. Kayaks can be used to paddle through the lagoon and around to the swimming beach. Miniloc Island is managed by the same company as Pangulasian and Lagen Islands. The food and service is as good. They have over the water cottages but these are quite small. The beach front and sea view deluxe rooms are much bigger. It has a small beach on the lagoon but no swimming pool. The big and small lagoons are both located on this island and can be accessed by a kayak which are supplied by the resort. El Nido Cove Resort is about 20 minutes drive north from the airport. It is a small resort with rooms overlooking a beach but the water is very shallow and not good for swimming. It has a small swimming pool. PUERTO PRINCESA HOTELS
Sheridan Resort is located on Sabang Beach front next to the underground river tour departure point, about 2 hours drive from Puerto Princesa. The rooms are very well appointed and most face the huge swimming pool which has a popular swim up bar. The beach is very good and rarely see many people on it. Nearby there are a number of beach front canteens serving Filipino food and cheap beer. Aziza Resort is located about 20 minutes from the airport and has large rooms around a good size swimming pool. The restaurant serves excellent meals. With its; resort feel, it is the best property to stay at in the town. Hotel Centro. Located near the airport and also near Robinson's shopping mall. it is on the mail road that goes to Sabang and the underground river tour. Rooms are well appointed and it has a good swimming pool. Food in the restaurant to high quality and service is good. HOTELS and RESORTS in CORON
Sandcastles is about 21 kilometres north of Busuanga Airport. The road is slowly being sealed so the unsealed parts make the trip a bit slower. It is located on one a the very few beaches on the island of Busuanga Cheey Beach. Run by an Australian expat it mainly caters to adventure type guests. The resort arranges daily kayaking and mountain bike tours and have buffet style meals for guests. There are a few beach front bungalows with air conditioning and bathrooms. Nearby island are easily reached by kayak and snorkelling is good right in front of the resort. We have included some of their tours in our suggested tour itinerary. The Funny Lion is located 10 minutes drive from Coron Town. It is well managed with excellent food in the restaurant opposite the swimming pool. Most rooms have a view over nearby island and it has a roof top bar with spa pools. Two Seasons Hotel is located on the outskirts of Coron Town next to the port. Sangat Island is about 45 minutes boat ride from Coron Town and caters mainly to scuba divers s it is very close to some of the Japanese world war 2 wrecks. It has stilted bungalows, made out of native materials, right on the beach front. Snorkelling is good 120 meters from the room which are not airconditioned. No swimming pool. Meals are buffet and included with accommodation package. |
Above Lagen Island Resort
Above beach front bungalow at Sandcastles
Above view from The Funny Lion rooftop bar.
Above Sangat Island bungalow and beach.
|
